Chapter VII: The Ball Part 1

                The night sky glittered like black velvet above the busy streets of Manila. Inside one of the oldest and grandest hotels in town, distinguished guests gathered like moths to a flame. The night was young and busy; valets took care of their guests as one by one, people dressed in silk and velvet treaded across the red carpet.  The streets sparkled more than the stars above as countless cameras flashed, capturing moments of what could be the grandest gathering of the year. Alphonse Santino, the head of Santino Corporation and rumored mob boss, hosting a charity ball attended by names everyone knew.

                Politicians, Celebrities, beautiful minds, all sorts of people gathered. Dressed in their best suits and most elegant dress, they mingled with each other with champagne glass dwindling by their fingers.  They wore the façade of the high class, drinking away as they feasted on the appetizers.  The middle-class men ran around, fetching their every need as part of their job. Such an ironic Charity ball.

                 But amidst the fat-bellied cats of the society, there were a few black sheep. Detective Darwin Rodriguez was one of them. Still, he had to comply on wearing his best suit but underneath his Americana 

coat, was still the same hard-boiled gumshoe.

                It was his curse to observe. The clock ticked away as his mind ran, processing every small detail. The mixed aromas of expensive colognes and perfumes told him stories about the people that had passed him. Their gestures suggested lies. Their tone suggested arrogance. He is a madman bombarded with stories and tales only the insane could find true.

                He was walking around, passing stranger after stranger, knowing truths after truths. Like the mark of a wedding ring on an actress’ finger, a slight bruise around the eyes of a scientist, and the Chief-of-police tapping with his feet. A nervous tick he had.

                “Something the matter, sir?” Darwin asked his superior.

                Gonzales didn’t answer as if he hadn’t heard him ask. It was acceptable, the crowd was quite loud and smooth jazz music echoed throughout the halls.

                “Ah! There you are, Detective! Chief Gonzales and I were just talking about you.” from out of the blue, Alphonse emerged holding a cocktail on each hand. The old man offered one to Gonzales.

                Of all the people Darwin met and saw tonight, none of them had the same impact as meeting the Don himself. Such a warm smile on his face as if he was genuinely happy. Either he wasn’t as bad as people say or the Don had mastered the art of appearances.  Alphonse offered a firm handshake and the detective obliged.

                “Y-you know me?” it took a while before Darwin mustered up the strength to reply.

                “Of course! Don’t you remember, child? Seven years ago, you helped my son clear his name of a murder charge.” said Al.

                Darwin began to remember a case a few years back. Joseph Mario Santino, Alphonse’s eldest son, was charged with three counts of murder. All of women under the prostitution business. They were found dumped and chopped up inside a garbage disposal at the back of a bar named Blue Maiden. Joseph Mario owns the bar and was rumored to be the front of a prostitution racket; of course the pimp would be the first suspect.  He was cleared with all charges when Darwin found a lost phone inside the bar that belonged to the real murderer. His plans and targets were all in there; it was a lucky break.

                “A lucky strike, sir,” Darwin was being completely honest. “If I hadn’t found that phone-“

                “But you did. And that’s what matters,” Al interrupted Darwin. The old Don then laughed and patted him in the shoulder. “Stop living on the “What if’s”, son.”

                “With all due respect, Mister Santino, it’s the “what if’s” that help me do my job.”

                Al just laughed. “Detectives, such fascinating lot,” He then turned to Chief Gonzales. “Well, it was nice talking to you again, Gonzales.”

                “On behalf of all the men serving the police, accept our gratitude, Mister Santino.” Chief Gonzales even courteously bowed. “Lord knows we need better funding.”

                “Always a pleasure to help the boys in blue,” Al nodded at the Chief and faced the detective. “Well, if you’d excuse me, I still have a party to host. Farewell.”

                “Wait!”

                Darwin voiced out before he could even stop himself. His eyes were set on Al’s face, trying to read his wrinkly but wise expressions. Darwin’s own expression has hardened. He had put on his working face. “Do you know a man named Aldrich Cooper, mister Santino?”

                “I know a Doctor Cooper. What’s this about, detective?”  Alphonse asked, seemingly surprised by the question.

                Chief Gonzales inconspicuously walked towards Darwin to whisper out of Alphonse’ earshot. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Darwin?”

                Darwin was deaf to the question—his mind focused on deciphering the mystery that is Alphonse Santino. “Well, Aldrich Cooper, a foreign doctor, was found dead a day ago. Do you have some sort of connection with the victim?”

                “Sorry detective, I cannot say that I have. I have heard the name inside the Hospital I was confined in. I’m guessing he was a tad famous? It saddens me to hear another murder inside the city. I assure you me and my men will do whatever it takes to help in your investigation.” Al looked genuinely upset.

                “He wasn’t your doctor?” Darwin was trying to corner the Don. He remembered a tabloid with the headlines of Alphonse being sick. And with that piece of evidence, was a picture of the old crime lord with the victim helping him inside a car. It was his trump card; all he needed to do was wait until Al showed his hand.

                “No, he wasn’t.”

                Darwin thought he had his contradiction. All that was left for him to do is call Alphonse’ lie out—but the Don didn’t even give him the pleasure.

                “He wasn’t my doctor, but I could distinctly remember him. The day I was released from the hospital, he was outside, on the phone or something. I was about to get inside my car when my legs felt weak. My son couldn’t carry me alone. Doctor Cooper was kind enough to give us a hand,” Al sighed. “Now that I remember him, I’m even more saddened by his death.”

                And just like in any game of poker, Darwin lost his hand to the Don’s alibi.

                But before even Al could leave their presence, a commotion attracted all of their attention. They turned their head. The ear-wrecking shrieks of teen girls assaulted everyone’s eardrums. The flash photography grew brighter and soon, the smooth jazz the band played was overshadowed by the commotion. A tall man strode down the red carpet as if it was his stage. The chaos followed his slick and charismatic moves blow by blow. He wore a thick fur coat unfit for Manila’s hot weather. Under the coat, he exposed his bare chest. He was a well-built man, dark curly hair and olive-skin. The man was a black sheep amongst the classy party.  He headed straight towards the trio.

                “Hey Pops, sorry if I’m late,” the man in the coat said to Al. “Great party at the Blue Maiden earlier.”

                “Jesus, Mario you reek of liquor!” disturbed but maintained his composure, Alphonse exclaimed.

                The man in the coat was none other than Joseph Mario Santino, or better known as Jack. He was taller than his father. Jack was a local celebrity, enjoying and exploiting his father’s infamy. Using the Santino name, he stormed his way towards the spotlight. Jack always wanted to be the center of attention. Other than owning a local club, he started appearing in soap operas on the local channels; he modeled and even started a band. Most of his fans are pre-pubescent girls. Their ear-curdling screams of affection were music to his ears. Being the fame monster that he was, he also had an attitude problem.

                “Ease up, old man!” Jack retorted. “It’s just a couple of shots. Besides, I’m as sober as your friends here,” Jack eyed the detective. He even took off his thick sunglasses and revealed his hazel-brown eyes. “Wait a sec, I’ve seen you before…”

                “Nice to see you too, Jack.” the detective replied.

                Jack peered closer towards Darwin until he was uncomfortably close. His breath reeked of a strong brand of liquor that the Detective fancied from time to time. It was a strong mix, Darwin was surprised he was still standing.

                “That’s Detective Rodriguez. He’s the man responsible for your freedom.” said Al.

                “Oh right, you’re that cop. Thanks to you, I didn’t need to spend a few days in jail.” Jack laughed.

                “A few days? If it wasn’t for me, you’d serve a life sentence. Three people were dead and you were the prime suspect.” Darwin couldn’t help but retort. Something about Jack that got under the detective’s skin. Was it the clothes? The attitude? The smell? Even Darwin wasn’t too sure.

                “Pshh, please, do you really believe that shit, detective?” Jack smugly replied. “Even if you hadn’t found that phone, somebody else will. And then I’ll sit my ass in jail for a few days, I’d get out and sue the government’s ass off for falsely prosecuting me. That way, I’d have been richer!”

                “It doesn’t work that way, kid. I should know, I’m the Chief-of-Police.” Chief Gonzales spoke out. The other old man just shook his head.

                “Whatever. You guys aren’t fun. Where’s the bar? I need to get my drink on.” and off he went, wandering the venue. No goodbyes, no farewells, no excuses.

                “I’m real sorry about his behavior.” Al apologized to the two guests.

                “Don’t worry about it sir, your son is a rock star. I’ve dealt with guys like him countless times,” said Darwin. “They all act like they’re the toughest guys around, inside, they’re big softies.” It was the least offensive description Darwin could think of. He didn’t want to call the Don’s son a coward and a fake.

                Al sighed. “Well, I better get going. Enjoy the rest of the party. Maybe I’ll see you later.” and off he went. The Don didn’t bother looking for his son. In fact, he went on the opposite direction Jack was headed.

                “Quite the character, aint he?” Chief Gonzales told the detective as they both watched him disappear into the crowd.

                For a while, Darwin was silent.

                “I couldn’t read him.” the detective said out of the blue.

                “What?” the Chief asked.

                “I couldn’t read him. No mannerisms, no nervous ticks, nothing. This never happened to me before.”

                “By the way, what was that all about? Seriously, Darwin you treaded on thin ice asking the host of the party such questions. There are times for that. Like when the suspect is in the interrogation room, not at a fuckin’ charity ball.” replied the Chief.

                “Let me ask you this, sir. Do you think The Alphonse Santino can ever be interrogated?”

                Gonzales didn’t answer.

                “See what I mean?” Darwin sighed. “Still though, the Don is one tough nut to crack.”

                “Now let me ask you a question, detective,” Gonzales suddenly spoke out with a grin on his face. 

“How many criminal bosses have you broken down?”

                “What are you talking about, sir? I haven’t done such things before.” Darwin answered, surprised by the question.

                “Exactly. There’s a reason why he’s the Don. If he gets paranoid with every kind of question, if he breaks down with a stare, what kind of boss could he be?” Gonzales laughed.

                As the two cops continued their conversation, as Jack drank more liquor and as Al seemingly disappeared from the crowd, a different commotion was happening outside. Matthew, all suited up, his hair gelled and steady under his fedora slightly tipped to the side, helped Marian out of her car. She got out and revealed a purple gown hugging her fair body like it wasn’t ever going to let go. Her lips were bright red. The couple had this aura about them that just made everyone turn their heads and notice them.

                “Are you ready for this, Matt?” Marian looked at his fiancé’s eyes.

                “Yeah. I’m going to talk to my Dad,” Matt smiled. “What’s the worst that could happen?"

                TO BE CONTINUED